Investing Your Money in Today's Market

Wow, I am reading Aftershock Investor.  Concerning your comfort and happiness, there is nothing more important than protecting your hard earned savings.  And this book is quite an eye opener.  It was just published late summer 2012, so is current, and I encourage all who stumble upon my blog to read this!  Request it from your library, as I did, or buy it now!

Essentially, it made no difference who won the election, as far as our economy goes. There is too much money being printed and we will all have to face the piper sooner (now) or later (next 3-4 years). This book talks about the bubbles that have already broken (real estate, etc) and the remaining two that will break soon.

There are recommendations on how to protect your money. I am still reading and just stopped to post this, as everyone needs to have this information.

Embellished Shirt

This was an experiment using an idea from Alabama Studio Style by Natalie Chanin.  There is a bleach spot on the lower part of the shirt, so when I looked at that book, I thought these appliqued circles might be a good way to put a design on the shirt while hiding the spot.  I like the spiral, the hand-stitching, and the general idea.  But am not sure it is attractive the way I placed them.  Perhaps I should put them all on the one side, but even then, not sure.

Matching Doll Clothing

Using Joan Hinds book, All Dolled Up, and the included patterns, I made one of my grandchildren a skirt and vest as well as a matching outfit for her American Doll.  The local Salvation Army store was where I found the jeans and plaid jumper that supplied the material used to make them.

Retro Hand Bag from Used Clothing

What fun to make a useful item from no longer useful clothing.

The center fabric is from a pair of capris from the local Salvation Army store bought when they were on clearance for $.49. Since the full fabric width needed could not be cut from one leg, the tiny green-checked fabric on the sides was from an old pair of culottes. The lining was also from the SA store and was a pair of homemade lounge pants. All I had to buy was a metal ring for the handle and a magnetic clasp. The lounge pants had patch pockets, so I utilized one for one side of the lining and made another to add to the other side, so there are 2 pockets inside. If I made again, I would add a pocket to the outside back.

This pattern was in a book from the library, and was called Retro Purse. I think the print fabric actually looks like something from the 40's; a kind of Hawaiian kitsch.

The three items of clothing before cutting.

Fabric Scrap Pups

Are these cute or what?  From another book I found at the library...I think it was on using scrap material.  The puppies are from felt.  The only variation I made was to put rice in the bottom of the bodies when stuffing to allow them to sit better.  They are about three inches tall.

Artistic Binder Clips

With a little Mod Podge as glue and sealer and an advertisement from a magazine for Gustav Klimt needlework kits, these plain old everyday binder clips are now pretty and fun.

Easy project with big impact!

Fried Cauliflower Rice

This is just like fried rice, but without the carbs!

Recipe from Primal Blueprint Quick and Easy Meals


Takes 15 minutes; serves 2-3

3 Tbsp sesame or coconut oil
1 white or yellow onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb meat; raw or cooked, cut in small pieces
4 Tbsp tamari (healthier than soy sauce)
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 small head cauliflower, grated in food processor
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup frozen peas
4 scallions, roughly chopped

     Heat wok or skillet over high heat and add 1 Tblsp of oil.  Add onion and saute until it starts to brown (2 minutes).
     Add meat & 1 Tbsp tamari.  Saute 2-3 minutes (or longer if raw meat needs more time), then add remaining oil, garlic, and cauliflower.  Saute 2-3 minutes.
     Add eggs & remaining tamari. Stir until egg cooks, add peas and chopped scallions.  Cook 1-2 more minutes.